A genealogical quest

CS 71
.L912
1908
no. 1
Copy 1

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GENEALOGICAL QUEST

BY WM. G. LOW

1908

a\

A GENEALOGICAL QUEST.

July , 1908.

Several years since, I took up, as " a matter of
genealogical interest, the question whether the first
Thomas Low, of my paternal line, in America wa^
«(i""^wiipi?re^, the son of John Lowe, captain of the
ship Ambrose, of Winthrop's fleet in 1(5;3(». Crow-
ell's History of Essex states such to he the case.

P. 24. "Among the names which are known tcT
have been long prevalent in this place
are the following:

1 034— John Perkins;

1635 — Robert Andrews, Wm. Goodhue,

George Giddings;
1038 — John Burnham;
1031)— Andrew Story;
1643—Thomas Low;
1048— John Choate."

P. 45. " In 1 043, Thomas Low settled in this place,
on land since owned by the late Captain
Winthrop Low. His house was about
thirty -five rods south of Captain Low's
mansion."

P. 74. . " The next town meeting was held, as the
Record says, February ID, 1077 (new style,
March 2, 1078), at which the town voted that
the Selectmen confer with the Chebacco neigh-
bors, about what they petitioned, and report
at the next town meeting. The inhabitants
here chose William Cogswell, John Andrews,

Thomas Low and William Goodhue, a com-
mittee to confer with the Selectmen." (This
was about having preaching in Chebacco).
" Several conferences were held, but without
any decisive result/'

P. 111*. " 1712, April 12th, died Dea. Thomas Low,
aged 80. He left a widow, Martha, and seven
children, Samuel, Jonathan, David, Martha
Dodge, Joanna Dodge, Sarah and Abigail
Goodhue. (Names of children not quite cor-
rect.) He was one of the deacons of the
church here from its commencement to his
decease." There is much more about him,
including an extract from his will.

On page 478, under the head of Corrections, is the
following :

''Page 119 — Dea. Low was the son of
Thomas, the first settler (see p. 45), d. Sept.
8, 1677, and grandson of Capt. John Low,
commander of the ship Ambrose, and Rear
Admiral of a fleet of twelve ships, which
sailed from England for Salem in April, 1(>;^)0.
To Dea. Thomas' son Samuel, were born Sam-
uel, Asa and Daniel (d. 182-t, aged 78)."

This last-named Daniel Low was the father of
Capt. Winthrop Lou\ who is mentioned by Prof.
E. P. Crowell as the authority for the statement as
to the descent from Capt. John Lowe of the Am-
hrose. So it appears that Capt. Winthrop Low was
a great-grandson of Deacon Thomas Low. Said
Winthrop Low died Aug. 31, 1806, at the age of
four score and one years.

A sketch of his life and character appeared in the
Salem Register not long after, from which it ap-

pears that he was a man of firm character and
strongly rehgious. "His power of attention was
so great, even in his childhood, that he could recol-
lect particular expressions in the prayers of Rev.
Mr. Cleaveland, uttered sixty years before, and re-
peat them as he did to a grandson of Mr. Cleave-
land, but a short time before he died.'' He was
much respected and lamented. It seems worth
while to mention these things as his character is a
factor in connection with his statement to Rev.
Mr. Ci owell. He must have believed his statement
to be true even if he was mistaken.

Crowell's History speaks, on p. 854, of two
family relics, which I, Wm. G. Low, have seen.
The first is " a cane with a head of bone, encircled
by a broad band of silver where it is joined to
the cane, which was brought from Eiigland. On
it is this inscription: ' Owned in ye Family, Engd
about 1573; D. L., U. America, March 14, 1S()3.'"
This inscription seems to have been put on the cane
by Daniel Low, the father of Capt. Winthrop Low,

The other relic is a ' ' copy of the Scriptures
printed in 157!», pp. 554, quarto, brought to this
country by Cai)t. John Low and handed down in
the family from father to son as an heir-loom."
It is of the Geneva edition; translations by Cover-
dale, Whittihgham and others, and printed at
London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the
Queen. "On the blank leaves of the book are
written the following names: 'Susan Low her
book 1677, May 19,' 'Thomas Low his Book' (ap-
parently written about the same time); ' Samuel
Low ' and ' John Low.' "

Crowell's History is followed, I believe, by Bab-
son's History of Gloucester. See p. 113 thereof.

Rufus Choate, Esq., of Essex, informed me that
the matter for Crowell's History of Essex was col-

lected by Rev. Robert Chowell, the pastor of the
Congregational churcli there, and that, after said
Cro well's death, the town of Essex purchased the
collection and induced Prof. E. P. Crowell, of
Amherst College, son of Robert, to edit it; whence
Crowell's History referred to.

At Mr. Choate's suggestion I wrote to Prof.
Crowell, who is his cousin, enquiring as to the
basis for the statement about the bible having been
brought- over by Capt. John Lowe, &c. He re-
}>lied :

' ' My father obtained his information about
it directly from Captain Winthrop Low, a
man of clear and strong intelligence and well
informed in historical mattei's, esi)ecially
those relating to his family. Still he may
have accepted a tradition which was not
founded in fact."

There apj)3ars to be no documentary evidence, so
far as I am aware, on record in this country
that is not based on this statement of Cio well's.

Let me here give such information as I have
about the first 'Thomas Low.

In the early records of Ij^swich he appears to be
mentioned more than once.

The Ancient Records of the Town of
Ipswich (Mass.)

from 1034-1050
Edited & Pubhshed by Geo. A. Schofield,
Ipswich, Mass., of the Ipswich Chronicle.

P. 23. April the 0th, 1041. Granted to Thomas
Low, ten acres of upland at Chebacco, next
his ten acres there, in exchange for 10 acres
due to him by grant unto Mr. Rogers Com-
pany near the three miles brook by Mr.
Appleton's farme.

p. 20. 4th of the 2 mo. 1643. Mr. Hubbard and
Geo. Giddmgs are appointed to view what
Land is convenient for Goodman Lowe, up-
land and meadow.

P. 25 July 18, 1<;4?). Granted to Thomas Low
6 acres of marsh beyond Chebacco River.

P. 29. At a meeting the 4th of 11 mo. 1(14(1. The
names of such as promise carting voluntary
toward the cart Bridge, beside the rate,
a 2 day work apiece, Mr. Symonds,
Mr. Appleton, Mr. Eogers, Deacon
Whipple, Sergeant Jacob, Thomas Bishop,
Ensign Howlett, Goodman Griffin, Mr.
Hubbard, Mr. William Payne, John
Andrews, Jun., Samuel Pod, Mr. Wade,
Mr. Robert Payne, Daniel Warner and
Thomas Safford, Thomas Stace, Good-
man Foster, Edward Brag and Goodman
Loe, Goodman Adams, Goodman Gittings,
Mr. Cogswell and Goodman Wiat.

P. a. The generall Towne meeting held the 10th
of December, 1 648. A list of the names of
those that did subscribe their names to allow
unto Major Denison three severall somes
yearly while he continued to be our Leader —
(Among them) Thos. Loe <> 2 u

(probably shillings)

Whether all these references are to the same per-
son I do not know. The one of the 4th of the
2 mo. 1643 might indicate a new and landless
arrival.

There is a deposition on record made in 1660 by
Thomas Low (1) and by his daughter Sarah, in
which his age is given as about 55 and hers as

c

about 23. It was made in complaint of Fuller v.
Lee, Essex Court Files, book 5, leaf SO, aud was
sworn in court held at Ipswich the 25th of Septem-
ber, 1 ()()().

Thomas Low (1) of that part of Ispwich, Mass.,
called Chebacco Parish, now town of Essex. His
Will dated 20 Apr. 1077, proved 6 Nov. 1677
(see Essex Probate Files 17242) mentions wife
Susanna and children John, Thomas, Margaret and
Sarah and grand-children Thomas Low, Margaret
Davisson, Sarah Safford and Sarah Low.

He died 8 Sept. 1677.

His son John m. 10 Dec. 1661, Sarah Thorndike,
of Beverlv.

Margaret m. Daniel Davisson.

Sarah m. Joseph Safford.

His son Thomas Low (-).

M. -t July 16()0 Martha Boreman, (dan. Thos. B.)

Born about 1632 or 1631. d. 12 Apr. 1712, aged
80 yrs.

Will dated 17 June, 1708; proved 5 May, 1712;
Essex County Probate Files 172-I:L

Tombstone with inscription in Essex churchyard.
Children: Thomas B. 14 Apr. 1661.
m. (1) Mary Brown.

.(2) Sarah, dan. of Harlakenden Simonds.

2. Samuel (d. before 6 Mar; 1724).

3. Jonathan, b. 7 July, 1665.

4. David, b. 14 Aug. 1667.

m. 28 Dec. 161>9. Mary Lamb, dau. Caleb

Lamb, of Eoxbury.
He d. before 25 Nov. 1736.

5. Martha, b. 10 March, 1669.
m. / ^cA A /U!i- - Dodge.

6. Joanna, m. Hale.

7. Sarah, m. Nathan Webstei* . p

8. Abigail, m. Joseph %mr^.^(><>t>C*tciJL.

9. Nathaniel, d. 30 Jnly, 1693.
10. John, d. 29 Nov. 1695.

Thomas Low((-)'s son, David, was my ancestor.

The son Thomas (3) who married Sarah Symonds,

moved to Gloucester.
John Wiuthrop's History of New England opens

as follows:

"A. D, 1630, March 29, Monday (Easter
Monday). Riding at the Cowes, near the
Isle of Wight, in the Arhdla, a ship of 350
tons, whereof Capt. Peter Milborne was
master, being manned with fifty -two seamen
and twenty-eight pieces of ordnance (the
wind coming to the N . by W. the evening
before), in the morning there came aboard us
Mr. Cradock, the late governor, and the mas-
ters of his two ships, Capt. John Lowe, mas-
ter of the Amhrose, Si\\(X Mr. Nicholas Hurl-
ston, master of the Jewel, and Mr. Thomas
Beecher, master of the Talbot (which three
ships rode then by us — the Charles, the May-
floiuer, the Williant and Francis, the Hope-
well, the Whale, the Success and the Trial
being still at Hampton and not ready),
when upon conference, it was agreed that
(in regard it was uncertain when the rest of
the fleet would be ready) these four ships
should consort together; the Arhella to be
admiral, the Talbot vice-admiral, the Am-
brose rear-admiral, and the Jeivel a captain;
and accordidgly articles of consortship were
drawn between the said captains and mas-
ters; whereupon Mr. Cradock took leave of
us, and our captain gave him a farewell with
four or five shot."

They came to anchor off Yarmouth. April Sth
they finally sailed for America.

Having gotten together the above, I decided to
prosecute my quest by first discovering the home
port of the Ambrose; then, if possible, identifying
her captain, John Lowe, and next ascertaining
whether he had a son Thomas Lowe. Through a
correspondent of Mr. Russell Loines, I found that
there was in the Record Ofiice in London mention
of the grant of letters of Marque in ] 629-30 to the
Ambrose of Ipswich, Capt. John Lowe. This
record will be given later

Turning my attention to Ij^swich, England, re-
search among the church and other records there
brough to light a family of marinei's and vessel
owners named Lowe. As will appear later, the
ownership of the A^nbrose was, in part at least,
held by this family and its kindred, and no other
family of mariners of the name appearing in Ips-
wich, it seems \\\^\\y jrrobable that the captain John
Lowe sought for was a member of this family or
some branch of it . Of this I feel confident.

It is desirable that I now record much of what
has been found about this Lowe family of Ips-
wich, County Suffolk, England.

There appear to have been several brothers, viz:
John, Matthew, Barnabas, Robert, and a sister
named Bridget, m. Daniel Croford, children of
William Lowe and Margaret (Wardall) Lowe.
Margaret Lowe was a sister of Rev. Robert Ward-
all, minister of St. Clement's parish church in Ips-
wich from 1583-1006, and the records of that
parish give most of the baptisms, &c., in the family,
though not quite all. St. Margaret's furnishes a few
items.

As a starting point, I propose now to cite the

Will of John Lowe, mariner, who m. Susan Series,
12 Aug. 15S3:

Will of John Lowe,
of Ipswich, CO. Suffolk, mariner
dated, 3 Dec, 1612.

I bequeath to the poor of St. Clement's where I
do now dwell £(>. .

To my wife, Susan, so long as she remains un-
married, all my tenements in Ipswich for life.

To my son, William Lowe and the heirs of his
body, my dwelling house in St. Clement's, Ipswich,
a half quarter of the ship Rebecca.

To my son, John Lowe, and his lawful heirs, the
tenement where Jeremy Joyner now lives, a half
quarter of the ship Tobias and a half quarter of
the Little Suzan.

To my son, Thomas Lowe and his lawful heirs,
the tenement where my sister Bridget dwells in
Wykes Bishopp, also my lighter or vessel called
The William and a quarter of the ship Little
Suzan .

To my son, Richard Lowe and his heirs, my tene-
ment where John Chaplin now dwells in Ipswich
and a quarter of my best ship.

To my son, Robert Lowe and his lawful heirs, my
tenement where Edward Lavericke now dwells in
Ipswich and one-half of my lighter The Robert and
a quarter of my best ship, at his age of 18.

To my daughter Suzan, wife of Edmond Humfrey

£50.

To my daughter Margaret £200.
To my daughter Elizabeth £200.
To my brother's daughter, Thomasine Low, £5,

10

Residuary legatee and executrix — my said wife.
Overseer: My friend, William Hamont; he to
have 4(»s. for his pains.

(Signed) John Lowe.

Witnesses: Chr. Ballard, Thomas Gosslyn,
William Wade, John Ballarde.

Proved: 12 July, 1()14, by Suzan Lowe, relict
executrix of deceased.

Will of Susan Lowe

of Ipswich, CO. Suffolk, widow,

dated 18 Nov., 1()2;3.

Bequeaths to her five sons, William, John,
Thomas, Robert and Richard Lowe, all the ship-
ping left me by their father, John Lowe, my late
husband, deceased, to be divided equally among
them.

Makes various bequests, including £20 to each of
her daughters, Suzan, Margaret and Elizabeth.

Also, leaves Mr. Samuel Ward e, preacher, 20 s. —
( Thij Mu. WiiLid iiij uuIjiuIjij l1 Ijj bj biuljh^i tiU llui .

Leaves Mr. Thomas Scott, parson of St. Clem-
ent's 20 s.

To her sister Wilkenson 40 s.

Executors, sons William, Richard and Robert.

Proved 10 June, 1()20, by Robert Lowe, son.

Power reserved to William and Richard, when
they shall apply for the same.

Robert Lowe's will is extaiit but none by the
other sons, so far as I find.

II

From St. Clement's Records.

John Lowe-Susan Series, m. 12 Aug., 1583,

Mariner.

Their children —
William Lowe, bapt. 10 May, 1584.

John Lowe ■^ bapt. 11 Sept. 1586; probably m.

Ellen Revett, dau. Edward
Revett, she bapt. IT Mch.,
1590.

Had son Thomas, bapt. is June,

1620.
Had dau. Ellen, bapt. 24 Aug.,
1621.

(As far as records of St.
Clement's show).

Thomas Lowe, bapt. 23 June, 15U4; m. Cicely

Forde, 21 Dec, 1617.

Richard Lowe, bapt. 30 July, 1598.

Robert Lowe, bapt. 27 Dec, 1603, m.

(1) Margaret Caine, 30 Nov.,
1626.

(2) EKzabeth

Will proved 23 Nov., 1644.

Susan Lowe, bapt. 8 Sept., 1588; m. Edmond

Humfrey.

Margaret Lowe, bapt. Iti April, 1592.

EHzabeth Lowe, bapt. 6 June, 1596.

Rose, bapt. 17 May, 1590,

and

Rebecca, ' bapt. 17 Nov., 1601, are not men-
tioned in wills. Probably had
died.

12

Apprenticeships.

Out of about a dozen recorded cases of appren-
tices taken by the Lowes I select the following:

lOol 1. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the
20th day of May, 42 EKzabeth (lOoi) be-
tween Richard Dawtrey, son of Henry
Dawtrey, of Ipswich, miller, deceased, and
John Lowe, of Ipswich, mariner, for \)
years.

1601 2. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the
17th day of April, 1()01, between Joseph
Rushbrooke, son of William Rushbrooke
of Buddesdale (Botesdale) Suffolk, draper,
and John Lowe of Ipswich, mariner, and
William Lowe, his son, for T years.

1604 3. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the
20th day of January, 45 Elizabeth (1604)
between John Ryvers the younger son of
John Ryvers the older of Chattisham, Suf-
folk, husbandman, deceased, and John
Lowe of Ipswich, mariner, and William,
his son, for 9 years.

1603 4. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the 1 0th
day of April, 1 James ( 16(>3) between Robert
Linge, son of Robert Linge of Clopton, Suf-
folk, yeoman, and John Lowe the elder of
Ipswich, mariner, and John Lowe, Junior,
of Ipswich, mariner, for years.

1606 5. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the 17th
day of November, 3 James (1606) between
William Wade, son of Edmond Wade of
Ipswich, carpenter, deceased, and John
Lowe of Ipswich, mariner, and John Lowe,
his son, for 1> years.

13

1601) 6. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the 16th
daj of June, 6 James (1609) between Arthur
Hey ward, son of John Hey ward of Ben-
nington, husbandman, and John Lowe of
Ipswich, mariner, and Wilham Lowe of
Ipswich, mariner, for 6 years.

161:^ 7. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the l-tth
day of February, James (1612) between
John Barnes, son of Thomas Barnes of
Ipswich, shoemaker, and John Lowe of
Ipswich, mariner, and Ellen, his wife, for
7 years.

16 14 8. Indenture of Apprenticeship made the 25th
day of December, 11 James (1614) between
Rauffe Sawnson^e, son of John Sawnsome
of Ipswich, weaver, deceased, and John
Lowe, Junioi", of Ipswich, maiiner, and
Ellen, his wife, for 6 years.

BuKGESSSHip Records.

The following, drawn from Corporation Records
at Ipswich, is of interest and apparently refers to
the same Lowe family. It was furnished to me by
Leo Culleton, of 92 Piccadilly, London. Only sons
of freemen born after their father's admission could
claim admission by patrimony.

John Lowe,

admitted free burgess by fyne in 1593, haring
then two soris. Previously as * ' Chamberlain. ''
Fyne £15. " The so-called fyne was assessed
according to the substance of the applicant.
£15 was a large sum and indicates a rich
man."

14

William Lowe,
living in 1503. Admitted freeman by servi-
tude to his father, John Lov^e (/, e., served a
freeman at least 7 years by indenture), 7
Dec, 1620. Had sons John and Wilham liv-
ing in 1020.

John Lowe,
living in 1593. Admitted freeman by servi-
tude to his father, John Lowe, 7 Dec, 1620,
having then two sons, Jolni and William.

N. B.

Thomas Lowe,
son of John Lowe, admitted freeman by patri-
mony 13 June, 1()17^, having then no son.

Richard Lowe,
son of John Lowe, admitted freeman by patri-
mony 7 Dec, 1620, having then no son.

Robert Lowe.
Record does not state whose son. Admitted
freeman by patrimony 12 Feb., 1624, having
then no son.

If the younger John Lowe, mentioned above, is
the husband of Ellen (Revett), no mention is made
of the Thomas Lowe, baptized at St. Clement's, 18
June, 1620. It may be that the child had died be-
fore the 7th of Dec, 1620. No baptism of sons
mentioned as John and William appears in the St.
Clement's records. It is possible that John m.
Ellen elsewhere and that their earlier children were
baptized elsewhere, also. It seems needless, per-
haps, to point out that, if John and Ellen had had
a son, Thomas, born in 1605, they would hardly
have given the child, in 1620, the same name, had

15

the earlier one survived until that time. It is
possible, but not probable, that the Thomas, b. in
1620, was not an infant.

As helping to connect this family of Lowe with
the Ambrose, I should show its kinship to the
Croforrls, who are mentioned as part owners of
said Ambrose. As mentioned above, the mother of
John Lowe, the elder, husband of Susan, was Mar-
garet Wardall. Her daughter, said John's sister,
Bridget, married Daniel Cioifort, or Crofford, and
had four fcons, Daniel, Thomas, John and Barvahas.
The last named m. in 1028, and had a son, William.

Mr. Redstone, also, has furnished me a record as
follows: "Partes of the shippes that I, Barnabas
Croffoi'd, have in the Kinges service as followeth:

One-eighth of the Anthonie-Jeremie Cornelus
One-eighth of the Elizabeth-Thomas Humphrey
On3-eigAth ol th3 Alls 3- William Flete
One-sixteenth of the Reconfer-Robert Church
One-sixteenth of the A nibi-ose- John Lowe
One-sixteenth of the Mary-Thomas Wright."

Barnabas was cousin to John Lowe, the younger,
supposedly captain of the Ambrose.

1 propose now to introduce some extracts from
the records of the High Court of Admiralty fur-
nished me by V. B. Redstone, F. R. }i%., of Wood-
bridge, CO. Suffolk, England, together with his
letter about the same.

Warrant Book, 1 Oct., 1(;25

No. 15

Arrest certain sums of money in the hands
of John Lowe, master of the ship The Abra
ham, of Ipswich, on behalf of Jones nnd Wm.
Rope in causa maritimi et civili. Actio 5 li.

10

Warrant Book, 2-1: Oct., 1620 (fol. 3d)

No. 10

Arrest John Lowe, master of the ship the

Ambrose, of the port of Ipswich, whereso-

• ever he may be, on behalf of Edward Whit-

inge in causa salar. Accio 5 li. Salar. 4 li 5s.

Letters of Marque Bonds, 10 July, 1027.

No. -1.

The Margaret of Ipswich, Captain Crof-
ford.

(Signed) B. Crofford,
Jn. Barker,
Wm. Fenwicke.

16 July, 1027.

The Anne of London, Richard Lowe, Cap-
tain.

(Signed) Rich. Low^e, Capn.
Jno. Perry,
Geo. Ridell. .

Trinity House Certifi. 14 Jan., 1025.
i. e. 10 25/20.

S. P. D. Car. I., Vol. XVI.

No. 10.

Right Excelleuf:

May it please your Grace to be Advertised
That there is now in the river of Thames a
new Shipp built at Ipswich by Saphire Foard,
Shippwright, called by the name of the Am-
brose ■ of Ipswich of the burthen of 250
Tonnes or thereabouts, Whereof are owners
Wm. Loue, Ww. Crofford and John Loiue
with others the said John Lowe being (under
God) designed Master.

17

The said owners desiring to have for tiieir
said Shippes defence in her intended voyages
to the Seas 4 sacres and 12 Mynions of cast
iron ordinance do humbly pray your Graces
Warrant for laying aboard their said shippe
the said 12 Minions & -t sacres putting in
bond for not alienating the same according
to the orders. And so we humbly take our
leaves and ever Rest.

Your Graces most humbly at command,

Trinity House Ratcliffe.

J. Best,
Samuell Dows,
Robert Bell,
Jno. Bennett.

To the Right Excellent our Veiy Good Lord
George Duke of Buckingham Lord High
Admiral of England and his Grace.

S. P. Dom. Car. I. Vol. 130.

Entry Book of Letters of Marque 'granted
by the Commissioners ajjpointed by letters
under the great seal of England to give War-
rant to the Judge of the Admiralty for the
time being to issue letters of marque or re-
prisal out of the High Court of Admiralty
in his Majesty's name to such of his Majes-
ty's subjects as have suffered loss or damage
by the King of Spain, the Archduchess or
any of their subjects. )

1028-1632.

Page 41.

Ambrose. The like was granted unto Jo.
Lowe & others to set forth the Ambrose of

18

Ij)siu/ch of about 2<»o tons whereof the said
Jo. is Captaine.

Dated 4 Martii, 1021) (/. r., 10 2\)/S()\

Page 42.

A duplicate of above entry.

The bond signed by Jo. Lowe upon the issue of
the Warrant is not among the Bonds for years
1628-31, No. 5.

Bonds given for letters of marque were also ex-
amined in Bks. No. 4, 1625-28; No. 6, 1632-31.

Trinity House Certificates, 1626.

Ships of Ipswich.

S. P. D. Book 16.

"Elizabeth." Owners, Jno. Clinch, mer-
chant; Barnaby Croford, Thos. Sylvester &
Thos. Humphrey, master.

"Margaret." Owners, Wm. Croford, Thos.
Sylvester and Barnaby Croford, Master.

"Wm. &'Thos." Barnaby Croford, John
Ketcher, Wm. Pett, of Ipswich, and Thos.
Silvester, Master.

" Wm." Owners, Wm. Lowe, of Ipswich,
mariner, Wm. Joanes, of London, rope-
maker, with others. Robert Lakeland,
Master.

A vessel named the "William," Capt. Barnaby
Lowe, was the largest of three vessels contributed
by Ipswich towards meeting the Spanish Armada
(See Hist, of Ipswich).

On the return to Europe, after accompanying
Winthrop's fleet to Salem in 163(), the Ambrose was
dismasted off Newfoundland, and was towed by her
consort the Lyon, Capt. Pierce, to Bristol, England.

Warrant Book No. 19. W Nov., 16 J J
1632-1634

Arrest John Lowe, master of the Ambrose,
wheresoever he may be, on behalf of Robert
Giitteridge, Wilhani Yickers, John Barker,
and their companions of the said ship in causa
loss of salary.

23 Nov. 1633.

Arrest Jonathan Andrews, merchant,

wheresoever he may be, on behalf of John

Lowe, master of the ship, called the Ambrose,

. of the port of London, in causa subn nauti,

&c.

Acta Book, No. 34.
fol. 387b.

JohesLowe, magr. navis the Ambrose, con.
Jonathan Andrewes.

Die lunae vicesimo quinto die mensis
Novembris, Anno Duo. 16)33, coram dno.
Judice, &c., in camera sua, &c., prod te
Edmundo Bryan, note publico,' &c.

Wyan exhibuit procuriu sui pro dco. Lowe
seque partem pro eodem fecit.

Et Williamson exhibuit procuriu sui pro
dco. Andrewes se que fecit partem prooedem.

Et tunc Wyan in prodtia Wmsou. dedit
(ut assevit) allegacoem. in scriptis conceptam
quam dus. ad eius petitoem admisit quatus de
Jure sit admit tendam.

Tunc Wyan super dea allegacon produxit
deum. Andrewes prodtem. in Juditio quern
dus. jurat oneravit et monuit ad subeundum
eius examen citra prox : Deinde Wyan super
dca. allegacoe. produxit in testes quosdem

20

Robei'tum Heyward, Robert Gutteridge,
Simoneni Strippelinge et Georgmm Nelson
quos dus. ad peticoem. recipit jurato eneravit
et monuit subeuiidum evid. exrd. citra prox.
In prodtia Wyan disserdet protestans de
nullite et de dicendo con eoren du. et depones
si, &c., et haben pro Intei'rijstompusconsue-
tum.

Letter of Mr. Vincent B. Redstone, F. R. H. S.

Woodbridge, 18 May, IIKIS.
Dear Mr. Loire —

I herewith send the result of my search, re
the Ambrose, among the Records of the High
ct. of the Admiralty.

Many of the volumes & bundles had not
been examined since the days they were first
filed, consequently I had often to wait whilst
they were being stamped. I do not think I
have exhausted all the material which may
throw light upon the Ambrose, but to my
mind it is perfectly clear that the John Lowe,
its mast er, was the husband of Ellen Revett,
and born in 1586, had a son Thos. L. born in
1620, and could not therefore be the father of
the Thos. Lowe founder of your house, who
was born in 1605. I have made a second and
most careful examination of the register of
St. Mary le Tower and St. Margaret's Ipswich,
and could not see the entry of the baptism of
a Thos. Lowe, 1600-1620.

From the enclosed note, it appears evident
that the John Lowe master of the ' Abra-
ham ' of Ips. 1625, was the John Lowe, mas-
ter of the newly-built Ambrose, and part

21

owner with his brother Wni. Lowe, his kins-
men Wm. Croford & Barnaby Croford; that
the Ambrose of Ipswich was the same as the
Ambrose of London, for as Mr. R. CI. Mars-
den informs me, it was frequently the case
for ships on the East coast to claim London
as their port. Mr. Marsden is our greatest
autliority upon naval records, vide publica-
tions Selden Socy. Roy, Hist. Socy. & Hist.
Review.

It appears that his ship coming home a
derelict, Lowe was unable to pay his men's
salary; that he endeavored to obtain the
money from Jonathan Andrewes, the Loudon
merchant, by whom his ship had been hired;
that the case may have been settled out of
court (according to Mr. Marsden) after a post-
l^onement for examination of evidence had
been granted. I was unable to find the con-
clusion of trial.

The name Lowe was so common in nauti-
cal circles that I was at a loss what records
to retain a note of. The mass of annual rec-
ords in various forms is great.

For my fees and expenses I am unable to
charge less than * * *

Kind regards.

Yours faithfully,
(Signed) Vincent B. Redstone.

From the foregoing it would seem that the rec-
ords, as far as they are accessible, indicate that the
first Thomas Lowe in America was probably not
the son of Capt. John Lowe of the Ambrose.

WM. G. LOW.

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